Type-writing machine.



H. H. STEELE,

TYPE WRITING MAGHINB.

APPLICATION FILED J5.PR.25. 1911:

Patented May 7,

3 SHBETS-SHSET 1.

INVENTEIR JII 1 I \A/ITNE55E5 mwfma B. H. STEELE. TYPE WRITING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 25, 1911.

Patented. May 7, 1912.

3 SHEETS-BREET Z.

Mira AT IJRNEY H. H. STEELE. 7 TYPE WRITING momma. APPLICATION FILED APR. 25; 1911.

Patented May "7, 1912.

3 SHEETS-EH31 3.

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HIEATT RNEY UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

HERBERT H. STEELE, or ivmncELLUs Ew YORK, ASSIGNOR' To mammalian TYPEWRITER coMrANY, or SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A eoRronATIoN OFINEW YonK.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Patented May 7, 1912. Serial No. 623,201.

WVriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to ribbon mechanisms for t-ypewriting machines and lts'general object is to improve the same. R

More specifically one object of my invention is to"""'provide improved ribbon stop mechanism. D

Another object of my inventlon is to provide an improved ribbonvibrator.

plied. Fig. 2 is a rear'eleva-tion partly in section showing the 'ribbon vibrator, the

' ribbon operating lever and the stop 00-.

operative with said'lever. Fig. 3 a top plan view of the ribbon vibrator. Fig. 4 1s a side elevation .of the ribbon vibrator.

Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe universal bars and the method of mounting the same. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the ribbon throw varying mechanism. I

Referring to Fig. 1, the main frame of the machine comprises a basel, corner posts 2 and a top plate 3. Key levers 4 are fulcrumedat the rear of the base, each key lever cooperating'with a guide rod 5 and a fulcrum plate 6. Behind the rod 5 the key levers, cooperate with a. stationary comb plate 7. Pivoted at 8 to each key lever is a sub-lever 9 cooperative with a fixed abutment 10 and connected at its upper end by a link 11 to a type bar 12. The series of type bars are pivot-ed in hangers 13 which are secured to a support or segment 14. The type bars are adapted to coiiperate with the front face of a platen 15 which. is diagrammatically shown, said platen being mounted in a traveling carriage (not shown), said carriage being connected by-a band "lfiwithl a spring drum 17;- The letter space movements of 1 the carriage are. controlledl byf;

I scribed.

escapement devices (not fishown), said de' vices being connected link 18 with an arm 19 secured to thej'middle portion of a rock shaft 20 which, aspshownkinyFig. 5, is supported at its endson fulcrum pins, 21 secured in brackets or"lugs 22 on the base 1 of the machine. The rock shafti20 carries a universal bar which "comprisesend bars 23 and a universal bar proper 253, the same being rigid with the central'arm 19 and the other parts of the universalfbar frame.

The usual ribbon spools are provided, the lefthandone 25 beingshown. The ribbon spools are arranged above the top plate and horizontally disposed forward of the platen, one at each side of the machine. Each ribbon spool is connected to a beveled-pinion 26 which meshes with a pinion 27 on the front end of a horizontal shaft 28 bearing in lugs 29 and provided at its rear end with an operating pinion 30 which is adapted to mesh with 'adriving pinion 31' fixed toa driving or power shaft 32, said shaft being connected by devices including interme shing beveled pinions 33 and 34 with'the spring drum 17. This is the" Ordinary Monarch construction and need" not be. further de- It will be' understood that the turning of the spring drum to advance the carriage inletter space direct-ion operates ,to rotate the power shaft 32. The two driving pinions 31 are spaced apart so that only one of them can engage at a time with its associate p1n1on'30 to 'cOnnectthe power. shaft with one of the ribbon; spools. By

sliding the power shaft back and forth lengthwise, which maybe done without breaking its connection with the spring drum 17, said power shaftis caused to en gage alternately with the trains of mecha nism connected to the ribbon spools, enabling the ribbon spools to be" driven in alternation to feed the ribbon lengthwiseiiiopposite directions.

Midway. between the ribbon spools the ribbon is threaded through aribbon carrier or vibrator which is best" shown in Figs. 2

to 4. i The body of said vibrator'is preferably made of-sheet metal and-comprises a stem 35 anda cross bar 36 from which rise parallel slides or arms 37. Each. upright is provided;

at about its middle with a laterally extend ing lug 38 which is curled or bent'tol receive the lower end of a guidemember or 'iwire, latter being suitably secured Socket formed in the curl of the lug 38. Each g'ulde w1re comprises a vertically extending upright portion 39 from the top of edge which is rounded and is formed'by the upright 39. i The two parts39 and 40 also form a slot-, numbered for descriptive purposes as 43, said slot being V-shaped viewed from the front, and open at its lower end. The por-' tions .40 incline downward and outward at an angle of some from the vertical, as appears from Fig. 2, and'also incline'rearward as is apparent from Fig. 4

The ribbon .44, which inthe present instance is shown as divided longitudinally into fields a and b-having difi'erent characteristics', is led off fromthe ribbon spools ind directed rearward and slightly upward toward the vibrator and is so threaded through the vibrator that, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 its printing portion passes behind the upper portions of thea'rms or slides 37 Thence the ribbon passes forward over the upright wires 39, thence behind the inclined wires 40 and thence over and in front of the hooked ends 41 Owing to the rearward inclination of the guide portions 40 the lower edge portion of the ribbon is directed -reatward and the slack due to theupward inclination of the ribbon from the spools to the vibrator is taken up as a consequence. Also the ribbon is' held flat closely-against the rear flat faces of the arms 37. Furthermore, theuprights 39 cooperate with the Slides 37 and the inclined and hooked guide portions 40 and 41 to iron out orlfiatten the ribbon asit is fed or drawn through the vibrator and thus overcome the tendency of the ribbon to bulge between its edges due to tliwonstant impacting of the typesthereagainst. Moreover, by. lessening the-downward inclination of the guide portions 40 the vertical distance between the closed ends 40* and 40 (formed 'by thejunction ofthe inclined portion 40 .respectively with the vertical portion'39 and the hooked portion 41) may be increased. Similarly by increasing'the amount of the inclination of the portions 40 the vertical distance between the closed ends 40 and 40 may be decreased. By thus adjusting the parts the ribbon may be closely engaged at its top and bottom and slipping movement of the ribbon widthwise on its support prevented. Furthen it will be. observed that the ribbon is entirely inclosed so that chance of accidental displacement from the vibrator and controlling devices for the ribbon.

is minimized and yet the ribbon may readily be threaded and unthreaded at pleasure. One

purpose of the described construction is to overcome the defects in operation heretofore occasionally met with due to catching of the lower edge portion of the ribbon on the top' impeding and obstructing of the vibrator and'connected parts, as well assometimes the disengagement of the ribbon from '-its vibrator, is minimized by my improved arrangement and construction of the guiding- The stem 35 of the vibrator is formed with a slot 45 bridged bv a cross pin 46, which engages the slotted forward end of an operating lever 47 (Figs. 1 and 2). The operating lever is fulc'rumed at 48 on a fixed block 49' and is adapted to be operated to vibrate the ribbon vibrator up andv down at printing operations. The vibratory movements of the brator. The rear arm of the operating lever 47 has a slot '52 which is engaged by a stud 53 secured at the upper end of a link 54.

The lower end of said link is detachably connected at 55 with a central arm 56 extending rearward from auniversal bar or bail which comprises a universal bar proper 57 secured at its ends to arms 58,-v said arms terminating in hubs59 which bear on the fulcrum pins 2l outside the brackets 22.

Itwill be understood that each key lever operates on both the universal bar 24 and the universal bar 57, the universal bar 24 actuating the escapeme nt and the universal bar 57 actuating the ribbon vibrator. Ea'ch key lever is cut out as indicated at 60 and 61 to cooperate respectively with the universal, bars 24 and 57 The cut-out 61 is shallower than the cut-out 60 so that the bar 57 and ribbon vibrator are picked up by the actuated key lever before said key lever contacts with the universal bar 24. The connection or stud 55 at the lower end of the link 54 is adapted to engage with any one of a series of holes 62 in the arm 56to vary the point of connection with said arm and thereby increase or decrease the amount of motion transmitted to the link 54. The position of theupper part of said link, with respect to the operating lever 47, may be varied by known devices comprising a manually settable controlling member comprising an eccentric operating face 63, and two concentric operating faces 64 and 65 of difierent diameters. When a plain or uniform ribbon is used the eccentric face is employed to give a cross or serpentine feed. 'The faces 64 and 65 are used for two-color work or similar '21 covers the printing. point.

work. When the face G l is in operation as shown in Fig. 1', the link 54 operates near the rear end of the slot 52 so as to communicate the least extent of movement to the operating lever and bring. the upper field a of the ribbon into use at printing operation.

By resetting the controlling member or sliding it transversely of the link 5-1 the face may be brought into operation, thereby positioning thelink near the forward end of the slot 52, increasing the throw of the operating lever and raising-the lower ribbon field b to the types. The controlling memberis slidable on. the power shaft 32 so as to bring the faces 33, 64: and 65 into use at will. For thus controlling the member, devices of the usual sort may be used comprising an upright forked member (56 connected to said controlling member and secured to a slide rod 67 (Fig. 6), said slide rod being connected to a bell crank 68 which in turn is connected by a link 69 to a second bell crank 70, said bell crank 70 having a forwardly extending arm terminating in a finger piece 71 operative on the front of. the machine.

Stop devices are provided for limiting the movement of the vibrator so as to confine the print to whichever ribbon field is in use. Said stop devices comprise a screw stop 72 which is supported on a bracket 73 suitably secured to the comb plate7. As shown in Fig. l the screw stop 72 projects upward through the horizontal portion of the bracket and underlies the rear end of the central arm 56, being so positioned as to limit. the downward movement of said arm. The screw stop 72 is provided with a nut 7% enabling the screw stop to be accurately adjusted so as to arrest the arm 56 and the train of mechanism connected therewith up to and' including the vibrator in such position that the vibrator will be arrested when the field Excess move ment is thusprevented and the printing confined -to the ribbon field a.

When the link 54: is shifted forward so as to bring the lower ribbon. field b into use, the. arm 56 will strike the stop 72 as before, but since the link operates so near the "fulcrum of the operating lever and the slot is pitched or inclined downward toward the end of the movement, the ribbon vibrator will tend to overthrow. To prevent this overthrow a second stop is provided which is adapted to coiiperate with the operating lever itself. This second stop comprises preferably a wire 75, hook-like in form, the upper end of which curves over the path of the operating lever 47, the curved end being located so that when the operating lever reaches the point at which its movement should cease in order properly to present I the lower ribbon field to the types said opcrating lever will contact with the wire'stop Z5 and will be arrested as shown by dotted "lines in Fig.

Said stop extends down ward. behind the usual stationary front plate or shield 76 and is secured against the rear of said plate by a nut 77 which engages a screw 78 supported on said shield. By loosening the nut 77 the stop may be adjusted.

It will be observed that by my present invention I provide, (in combination with ribbon vibratingmechanism, varying mechanism by which the extent of vibration of the ribbon may be altered, ribbon stop devices, comprising in the present instance the parts 56 and 72, which devices are constantly operative at each vibrating operation of the ribbon; that other ribbon stop devices, in the resent instance comprising the stop 75 and t eupper edge of the operatinglever 47, are provided which are inter-,

mittently operative, that is, which operate only at times as, in the present instance, when the vibrating mechanism is set to give a particular extent of throw to the ribbon, this throw being the-greatest throw or vibration of which the ribbon is capable; that a plurality of sets of ribbon stop devices are provided, one set being composed of the stop 72 and the arm 56, and the other set being composed of the stop 75 and the upper edge of the lever 47; that these sets of stop devices are concurrently operative; that they cooperate with different parts of the ribbon vibrating mechanism; that one of these sets is operative for bothextents of movement of the ribbon vibrating mechanism; that the other set is operative for only one extent of movement; that the ribbon stops are independent of the setting movements of the actuating link 54, that is, the actuating link may be set by the controlling member 68-65 withoutatfecting the stops, which will remain quiescent during such 'setting and resetting of the link; that two sets of stop devices are provided at oppo' site ends of the train of mechanism connecting the vibrator with the printing key levers, said stop devices substantially .con-

fining between them said train of mechanism; and that the tiipper or hair-pin stop device is a safety device which acts on the operating lever" to supplement the lower set of stop devices and insure against the increased tendency to overthrow when the ribbon is set for the long throw. Furthermore, it will be noted that by my present invention a ribbon vibrator is provided which comprises sets of guiding devices, each set of guiding devices in the present instance being composed of one of the guide wires 39, 40, 41 in. conjunction with the upper portion of one of the arms or slides 37; that each set of guide devices-forms or provides a pair of slots; that the dividing wall between each pair of slots the present instance is formedby one of the uprights 39 which provides roinided or curved ed 'es for the slot walls: that each 3 I inner slot 42 being open at the top, and the outer slot 413 being open at the bottom; that the slots of each pair are in different planes, as will. be apparent from a consideration of Fig. at; that tae walls of the innor slot 49 of each pair are substantially parallel while the walls of the outer slot 48 are at an angle, the slot 43 being shaped like an inverted V; that each guide wire in its entirety comprises an inclined. portion 40, and two substantially upright portions 39 and 41 extending oppositely from the ends or" said inclined portion; that each one of the guide wires completely surrounds the ribbon, as will be readily apparent from a consideration of i; and that each guide wire is ad ustable, by changing the angle of lateral incllnation of the portion 40, so

as to cooperate closely with the edge portions of the ribbon, thus compensating for ditl erent ,vvldths of rlbbon, or for a dii'i'erent fore and aft inclination of the same ribv bon due to a change or variation in adjust-- ment of the fore and aft inclination of the guide portion 40.

Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; parts of it may, of course, be used without other parts, for instance, the ribbon stop mechanism may be employed in connection with a different style of vibrator than that herein shown and claimed; and various features of my novel vibrator may be selected and adapted to other vibrators which may differ in some respects from the vibrator illustrated herein.

The ribbon mechanism herein generally shown and described will be found more fully illustrated and set forth more at length in patent to George A. Seib, No. 868,947, granted August- 20, 1.907.

lVh-at I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination with ribbon vibrating mecl'ianism, varying mechanism for the vibrating mechanism, ribbon stop devices constantly operative at each vibrating operation. and other ribbon stop devices intermittently operative.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination with ribbon vibrating mechanism, varying mechanism for the vibrating mechanism, ribbon stop devices constantly operative at each vibrating operation, and

,other ribbon stop devices operative for only one extent of throw of the ribbon vibrating mechanism.

3. Ina typewriting machine, the combination of ribbon vibrating mechanism, varying mechanism for the vibrating mechanism, a ribbon, stop operative at each vi l'u'ating operation, and. a second ribbon stop operative only when the vituator is given pair of slots 15 open at opposite ends, the a its greatest even of nuwcmcut.

lira. type\ lug machine, the combination of riblmn viln ting mechanism, vaj; 'ug mechanism for the vibrating mechaand a plurality of sets oi? ribbon stop s, said so being capable of concuroperation.

",(JOVULliZiIig i'nachine, the combibbon vibrating mechanism, vag mechmiism for the vibrating mocha-- and a plurality of s ts of ribbon stop said sets bei oable oft concurrent operation on dnlercnt parts of said ribbon vibrating mechanism.

(3. In a ty iieu'ritiug machine, the combination of ribbon vibrating mechanism, vamechanism for the vibrating mechanism, and a plurality of sets o't ribbon stop aid sets being capable of concur-- i ition, one only of said being operative for both of "cuts of movement o't said ribbon vibrating merhanism,

i". in a typcivri ng machine. the combi nation of a riblmn vibrator, vibrating deices, a key operated universal beacon nected thereto, Aid sal bar being independent of the "1 imiclmnisni oi the uuzchine, and a stop rotiperativc with said universal In a t vpewrith t'ion of a ribbon v hater, vibrating mechanism including an operating lever, a key operated. universal bar, a ribbon stop cooper-1r iive with said universal bar, and a second ribbon stop ooii perative with said operating lever,

3. In a typewrit-ing machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, animating mechanism including an operating lover, a key operated universal bar, a ribbon stop cooperative with. said universal bar. and a second ribbon stop cooperative with said operating lever, said ribbon stops being capable of concurrent operation.

'10. In a typewriting machine, the combination of ribbon vibrating mechanism, varying mechanism therefor. and two ribiuoveuu-nt of the vibrating mechanism and. the other. operativetor one only of said extents oi nmvement.

ll. In a typewriting machine, the co1nbination of a ribbon vibrator, vibrating devices including an operating lever, varying mechanism for said vibrating devices, a. key actuated uni vcrsalbar, and two ribbon stops one cooperative with said universal. bar for both extents of movement of the vibrator and the other cooperative with said operating lever for one only of said extents of movement.

l2. In a typewriting machine, the combination of aoribbon vibrator, an operating bcn stops, one operative for both extents of: j

lever, a key actuated universal bar, connectionsincluding a link between said universal bar and said operating lever, hand controlled devices for setting said link to 0perate variably on said operating lever, and ribbonstop's for both extents of movement of said lever, both of said stops being-independent ofv the setting movements of said link.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, an operating lever, a key actuated universal bar, connections including a link between said universal bar and said operating lever, hand con trolled devices for setting said link to operate variably on said operating lever. a ribbon stop cooperative with said operating lever, and a second ribbon stop cooperative with said universal bar.

14, In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, an operatinglever, a key actuated universal bar, connections including a link between said universal bar and said operating lever, hand controlled devices for setting said link to ope'rate variably on said operating lever, a ribbon stop cooperative with said operating lever, and a second ribbon stop cooperative with said universal bar, said ribbon Stops operatingconcurrently when the vibrator is,

given its greatest extent of vibration.

15. Ina front-strlke typewriting machine,

' the combination of a ribbon vibrator, actuating devices therefor including an operating lever directly connected to said vibrator, a ribbon stop comprising an upright hook which lies in the pat-h of said operating lever, said hook having a stationary support, and means for adjustably clamping said hook to its stationary support.

-16. A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising a plurality of sets of guiding devices, each. set of devices forming a pair of slots, the dividing wall between said 'pair of slots being rounded.

17. A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising a plurality of sets of guiding devices, each set of devices forming a pair of slots, the slots of said pair being open at opposite ends.

18. "A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising a plurality of sets of guiding devices, each set of devices forming a pair of slots, the slots of said pair being in different planes.- 1

19. A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising a plurality of sets of guiding devices, each set of devices forming the walls of one slot of each a pair of slots pair being substantially parallel, and the walls of the other slot being inclined to each other.

20. A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising a pair of guide wires,

each guide wire comprising an inclined portion and two substantially upright portions extending oppositely from the ends of: said inclined portion.

21. A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising a body portion and a pair of guide. wires, each guide wire cooperating withthe body portion and providing a pair of slots.

A. ribbon vibrator for typwriting machines comprising a body portion and a pair of guide wires, each guide wire being adjustable to compensate for difl'erent widths of ribbon.

23.1.;8. ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising a body portion and a pair. of guide wires, each guide wire com prising La laterally extending portion which isalso inclined at an angle fore and aftof the machine.

24. A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising parallel arms or slides, and guides, each comprising a vertical portion, a portion inclining downwardly from the top of said vertical portion, and a hook extending upward from the lower end of said inclined portion.

25. A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising parallel arms and also guides, each guide comprising a vertical portion, a portion inclining downward from the top of said vertical portion, and a hook extending upward from the lower end of said inclined portion, said downwardly inclined portion being also inclined rearward.

26. A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines, comprising parallel arms and also guides, each guide comprising a vertical portion, a portion inclining downward from the top of said vertical portion. and a hook extending upward from the lower end of said inclined portion, the vertical portions being in a plane forward of the rear faces of the parallel uprights. l

27. A ribbon vib-ator for typewriting machines comprising parallel arms or slides and also guides, each guide comprising a vertical portion, a aortion inclining downward from the top of said vertical portion, and a hook extending upward from the lower end of said inclined portion, the ribbon being threaded behind said slides-in front of said vertical portions and behind said inclined portions.

v 28. A ribbon vibrator for typewriting machines comprising parallel arms or slides and also guides, each guide comprising a vertical portion, a portion inclining downand a hook extending upward from the lower end of said i'nclinedportion, the in clined portions having closed ends which are ,adjustable to closely engage opposite edge portions of the ribbon.

29. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, a key lever, a. 130

train of actuating devices between said key lever and said vi rator, and two sets of'ribbon stop devices, one set at each end of said train, the sets of stop devices substantially confining between them the train of actuating devices.

30. In a typewriting machine, the comb1-- nation of a ribbon vibrator, ribbon actuatling devices, throw varying devices, a set of ing lever, key actuated devices connected with said lever, throw varying means, and

throw of the ribbon vibrator.

32. In a typewriting machineprovided with mechanism "both for vibrating the ribbon, and for varying the vibrating mechanisin and with ribbon stop devices constantly operative at each vibrating operation and also provided with intermittently operating ribbon stop devices.

Signed at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, this 22nd day of April A. D. 1911. i

. HERBERT H. STEELE.

' Witnesses:

\VrLLARp C. HAY,- BEssIEG. KITTELL. 

